Crohn's disease treatment, diagnosis & prescriptions

Yes. In some cases, a doctor on Maple can help you diagnose Crohn’s disease or manage a previously diagnosed case. They can write necessary prescriptions and recommend an appropriate course of treatment. If the doctor suspects you have a more serious problem, they may suggest that you go to a clinic or hospital for a thorough physical examination and treatment.

Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation in your digestive tract. It can involve different areas of the digestive tract in different people. The most common areas affected by Crohn’s is the last part of the small intestine and the colon. It can also spread deep into the layers of affected bowel tissue, which can be painful and debilitating.

Crohn’s disease is not normally life threatening, but it can lead to severe or life-threatening complications.

Symptoms of Crohn’s disease can range from mild to severe and usually develop gradually. Signs and symptoms of active Crohn’s disease include:

• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Abdominal pain and cramping
• Blood in your stool
• Mouth sores
• Reduced appetite and weight loss
• Pain or drainage near or around the anus because of fistulas

The exact cause of Crohn’s disease is unknown. What is known is that heredity and a malfunctioning immune system are likely involved in its development. Diet and stress were once suspected, but they have since been ruled out as causes (although they can aggravate the condition).

Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent Crohn’s disease, there are ways to manage it and to prevent it from taking over your life.

While there is no cure for Crohn’s disease, and no single treatment that works for everyone, there are treatment options that can reduce the inflammation that triggers the symptoms of Crohn’s disease. Treatment not only offers relief, but actually lead to long-term remission.

Treatments for Crohn’s include: 

• Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as corticosteroids.
• Immune suppressors, which reduce inflammation and target the immune system, which causes inflammation to begin with.
• Antibiotics 
• Anti-diarrheals
• Pain relievers
• Iron supplements, B-12 shots, calcium, and vitamin D supplements to replace lost nutrients
• Nutrition therapy
• Avoiding dairy, high-fat foods, too much fibre, and problem foods
• Eat smaller meals
• Drink plenty of liquid
• Exercise and stress reduction techniques such as biofeedback and meditation
• Surgery, if diet and lifestyle changes, drug therapy, or other treatments don’t work.